Combining kindness and severity, the essence of pure gold.

With a wave of his hand, Cao Xing directly expelled them from the territory.

The blessing effect of the Pale Tree vanished along with it.

These people immediately felt a powerful vitality flowing out of their bodies, as if they had aged by over a decade instantly.

As for the faces of the other territory members, instead of sympathy, they felt it was richly deserved and deeply satisfying.

After all, no one wanted someone else to slack off and reap the rewards while they were working themselves to the bone.

Regarding the Lord's action, everyone applauded and cheered in satisfaction.

As for this group of fellows expelled from the territory, they collapsed onto the ground on the spot, their faces ashen—

After dealing with this batch of people, Cao Xing swept his gaze across the others, his tone softening a bit.

"Those who stayed have already passed the test."

"You have proven your loyalty and character. Now, I will bestow a miraculous blessing upon you."

As he finished speaking, Cao Xing glanced at Liu Muxue beside him.

This woman understood tacitly and immediately raised her weapon to cast a blessing.

"Hum!"

A dazzling radiance descended, and the strength of all territory members instantly surged by a large margin, their bodies filled with surging power!

Feeling this powerful strength, everyone's faces successively revealed expressions of pleasant surprise.

Toward the young and powerful Lord before them, the awe and worship in their hearts grew even more!

Cao Xing did not use the Goddess Nessa's Blessing Ring, preparing to wait until the other territory members returned to conduct a unified blessing.

Right now, it was just to let them taste a bit of sweetness.

After finishing this, Cao Xing continued, "From now on, as long as you are diligent and responsible, the glory of the territory will be with you."

"Now, all of you go back to your rooms to rest."

Everyone responded one after another, then orderly left this place.

The more than one hundred people who had just actively applied to leave also shouldered their respective luggage and left the territory.

As for the more than one hundred people expelled from the territory by Cao Xing, they were led by Liuzhuang leading a team of soldiers to be escorted overnight to the black gold mine cave several hundred kilometers away.

Cao Xing's action tonight not only did not cause any resentment in the hearts of the other territory members, but instead increased their loyalty by a large margin.

At the same time, it also reduced the population by over two hundred, saving daily food expenses. It could be said to kill two birds with one stone.

The time of a single night quickly passed.

The next day, when the time reached six o'clock in the morning, the system prompt appeared punctually.

[All Survivors, please take note! You have successfully survived the 10th day of the turbulent period.]

[The number of Blood teleportation pillars opened by the Blood Legion yesterday was: 1. The remaining Blood army in the world has significantly decreased. Please continue your efforts to clear out all Blood soldiers.]

[Remaining Blood teleportation pillars: 8]

[Today's Weather: The Gale Snowfield is still accompanied by snow showers, with the minimum temperature ranging from -65℃ to -72℃.]

When the prompt ended.

In the chat channel, a series of cheers rang out once again.

"That's great! There are only the last eight teleportation pillars left, and we'll be able to return to normal life soon!"

"Brothers, push harder today and strive to clear out all these disgusting monsters today."

"What effort are you pushing? It sounds like you dare to charge at the Blood teleportation pillars; isn't it still going to depend on the group of Legendary powerhouses under Great Lord Cao Xing?"

"Haha, indeed. Up until now, I've only seen the brothers of the four major regions gather the strength of millions of people to destroy the Blood teleportation pillar with their strength; not a single other region has done it."

"I think if everyone works hard and puts together an army of two to three million people, we should be able to give it a try."

"You mean courting death, right, bro?"

From the opening of the Blood expansion pack until today, a full week had officially passed.

During this week of time, Survivors all over the world had been carrying out arduous resistance and battles.

The online player count had already dropped from 2 billion to 1.8 billion.

In seven days, nearly 200 million people had died in battle, from which the tragic extent of this expansion pack could be seen.

Fortunately, because Cao Xing's side opened the expansion pack early, it caused the Watchers over there to fail to make adequate preparations.

Coupled with his two consecutive operations to slay a large number of Legendary figures from the Watchers and the Blood Legion, he controlled the Blood disaster within the smallest possible range.

Otherwise, the number of deaths would definitely have multiplied several times over.

Seeing the prompt, a trace of a smile also surfaced on Cao Xing's face.

"Not bad, there are only the last 8 left."

"Moreover, among the locations of these eight Blood teleportation pillars, six are concentrated in the territory of the Kunader Kingdom, and the other two are in an unknown region."

"As long as we maintain the previous rhythm, the Blood Chaos can completely end within today."

Including Liu Muxue beside him, a joyful smile also appeared on her face.

She looked at Cao Xing beside her and said earnestly, "That's great, Ah Xing, the Blood Legion is finally going to be cleared out."

"You won't have to be so tired afterwards, nor do you need to push yourself so hard—"

"That's simply wonderful—"

Hearing this, Cao Xing was startled, just wanting to say that he hadn't forced himself.

But Liu Muxue said earnestly, "Ah Xing, actually I know that you have always had a lot of pressure in your heart."

"Yet you never show it, thinking instead of solving it with your own strength."

"Starting from two months ago, when you learned that the Blood Legion was about to appear, you changed a bit."

Cao Xing was stunned once again, and asked in confusion, "Did I—changed?"

"Yes."

Liu Muxue nodded solemnly, "You became even more thirsty for power, racking your brains by every means possible to elevate everyone and elevate yourself."

"You joined the Crystal Dragon faction in the Battle of the Oracle, standing on the opposite side of the players."

"You headed to the ancient battlefield, using force to compel those undead to submit."

"In the Sword Saint heritage, you demanded benefits from that Sword Saint phantom."

"You in the Eternal Frost Main City—"

Liu Muxue recited out each and every thing he had done.

Even in Cao Xing's eyes, a dazed expression appeared.

Could it be… have I really changed?

Her voice continued to sound, her tone carrying a hint of heartache amidst its gentleness.

"In order to make yourself grow strong quickly, you even somewhat forgot your original intent."

"Including that time negotiating with the Demon Lord, it was the same."

"Perhaps you didn't feel it yourself, but as the person who has been staying with you day and night, I am very clear about it."

"But I know that you did it so that everyone could survive the upcoming disaster."

"To let more Survivors from Blue Star survive."

"That's why I never dared to speak out, and could only silently help you on the side—"

"Now, it's finally ending—you can finally be yourself—"

Speaking up to here, Liu Muxue's voice even carried a hint of a sob.

At this moment, Cao Xing opened his mouth, but couldn't say a single word.

A trace of bitterness also welled up at the corners of his mouth.

Liu Muxue was right; the Blood Legion had always been a massive mountain pressing down on Cao Xing's heart.

From more than two months ago, after learning that these monsters were going to make a comeback, Cao Xing began making a series of preparations to deal with them.

Including the Battle of the Oracle, raiding the Church of Light camp, threatening the Demon Lord, and so on, all of it was to enable himself to possess even greater strength.

Even Cao Xing himself had a sense that his personality had undergone changes these past few months.

Becoming more mercenary and somewhat unscrupulous for the sake of power.

However, the enemy's strength was simply too formidable; no matter how hard he tried, he always felt something was lacking.

Although he was no saint, he also wanted to enable more people, especially Survivors from Blue Star, to survive.

Cao Xing looked at Liu Muxue before him, a look of emotional reflection surfacing in his eyes.

Sure enough, the one who understood him best was still that pillow-companion who stayed with him day and night.

After a moment, he raised his head and smiled, "The Watchers Leader and the Blood Commander haven't been resolved yet. Saying that the Blood Chaos has ended right now is still too early."

Liu Muxue just wanted to speak.

Cao Xing interrupted, "However, I will also pay attention from now on, not letting myself have so much pressure anymore."

Hearing this, a smile surfaced once again on this beauty's face.

Then she nodded solemnly.

A few minutes later, the two of them pushed open the gates of the Lords Castle together.

A gust of cold wind instantly blew toward them, mixed with snowflakes filling the sky, stinging people's faces slightly.

It had been snowing intermittently these past few days, and the accumulated snow around the territory had piled up to nearly a meter high, capable of burying a person inside.

However, even in such snowy storm weather, a large number of staff members had already gotten up early and entered working status.

After experiencing last night's incident, they all knew that the Lord was well aware of their whereabouts and work status.

If there were still people slacking off and acting slick, they would be driven away by him!

Therefore, the remaining people cherished the current opportunity immensely, working exceptionally hard.

Even the mining robots had gone outside the territory early to start shoveling snow, connecting those resource points with the roads of the territory.

"Not bad."

Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction; this was precisely the effect he wanted.

Of course, this wasn't exploiting those staff members either.

Relying on Cao Xing's territory infrastructure, as long as one was in the territory, that energy tower would continuously emit heat,

evenly providing heat supply to every corner.

Then, while patrolling the territory, he opened his panel to check his battle merits.

[Battle Merits * 167 million]

"Only 170 million? To exchange for that Legendary defense tower blueprint, we're still quite a bit short."

"Fighting for another day today, a conservative estimate is gaining 40 million battle merits, making it easy to scrape together 200 million."

"By then, the excess battle merits can also be used to exchange for Proficiency Emblems—"

However, with victory in sight,

Cao Xing's heart was still shrouded in a cloud of gloom.

After all—no matter how many teleportation pillars he destroyed or how many Blood soldiers he killed,

as long as the Watchers Leader and Blood Commander, those two Demigod-level powerhouses, were still alive, this expansion pack wouldn't be over yet.

"These two guys are indeed a substantial hidden threat, I need to figure out a way to deal with them—"

"But it's almost time. Muxue's level has already reached Level 129, and she's still 21 levels away from reaching max level, and then letting her break through to the demigod realm."

"At that time, once Liu Muxue becomes a demigod, I won't be afraid of these two guys anymore."

Thinking of this, a trace of expectation gradually emerged in Cao Xing's eyes.

Of course, the closer it was to the final moment, the more vigilant one had to be.

Thus, Cao Xing pressed the communication device by his ear and asked, "Isabelle, report your location."

"Bzzzt—bzzzt"

The sound of electric current rang out.

Before long, the soft voice of the Holy Light Priest sounded.

"Lord, we have currently reached the territory of the Kunad Kingdom."

"There are still six Blood teleportation pillars here, and the last two are in a no-man's-land."

"We are prepared to clear out all the Blood teleportation pillars within today."

Hearing this, Cao Xing replied, "Very good, but you still cannot lower your guard right now; you must remain vigilant at all times."

"Once there is any abnormality, immediately run towards the main city of the Kunad Kingdom."

According to what the Ice Crystal King revealed earlier, ancient teleportation arrays had been built in the main cities of these few kingdoms.

They allowed Legendary powerhouses like them to provide support through the teleportation array at the first instance.

Isabelle's side understood Cao Xing's meaning and solemnly replied, "Understood, Lord."

After hanging up the communication, the five Legendary powerhouses began their actions once again.

At the same time, Cao Xing heard a "humming sound" coming from overhead.

"Humming…—."

When he raised his head to look, he saw black dots braving the wind and snow in the snow-filled sky, rapidly driving toward the direction of the territory.

After those black dots approached, Cao Xing could clearly see that they were all Goblin airships.

As many as thirty-plus units drove over together, with a scale worthy of a small fleet.

At this moment, these Goblin airships were in groups of two, with a thick and sturdy vine tied beneath the cabin of each airship.

To the other end of the vines were tied giant trees one by one.

The shapes of these trees were very peculiar.

Their trunks were dark red throughout, resembling pieces of red-hot yet cooled steel, with surfaces covered in bizarre patterns, and branches that were thick and twisted, resembling rows of red giant pythons.

What was most peculiar were the leaves of these trees.

The leaves were vermilion-gold, shimmering with a dazzling light in the wind and snow.

Clearly, these were the Vermilion Gold Oak Trees that Sabina had discovered.

A few days ago, Cao Xing had sent Da Zhuang out, having them transport all these oak trees back.

Glancing at the attributes of these oak trees.

[Vermilion Gold Oak Tree: Magical Plant]

[Plant Introduction: An extremely rare magical plant containing powerful fire and metal attribute magic power within its body. Under the frigid environment, the entire plant underwent some peculiar change.]

[Effect 1: Leaves can be collected and refined into 'Vermilion Gold Essence (Orange)' through the Alchemy Workshop.]

(Note: Vermilion Gold Essence is a rare alchemy material, usually used as an auxiliary material addition for some Legendary-grade potions, and can also be consumed directly to increase a small amount of attack power.)

[Effect 2: Can be sent into the Lumber Mill to be cut into 'Vermilion Gold Planks (Orange)']

(Note: Vermilion Gold Plank is a high-hardness wooden plank containing special power, which can be used to build some high-grade buildings above Epic-grade.)

Cao Xing nodded secretly and said, "Not bad, just as Sabina said, these oak trees are treasures from head to toe."

"The trunks can be forged into high-grade materials, and even the leaves can be used to make Epic-quality raw materials."

Clearly, these Vermilion Gold Oak Trees were of great value, and any single one could be sold for a high price.

Of course, setting that aside, the appearance of this kind of oak tree was also very beautiful.

Even if planted in the territory, it could be used as a landscape tree to increase some of the territory's foundation.

At the same time, Da Zhuang's rugged voice came from the communication device by his ear.

"Lord, we have successfully transported the Vermilion Gold Oak Trees back!"

"However, this is only the first batch, only 16 trees. There are still many in that forest, adding up to nearly a hundred trees!"

Cao Xing replied with a smile, "Well done, Da Zhuang."

"Land the airships now; I'll call people over to meet you."

"Alright, Lord!"

At the same time, Cao Xing gave a greeting.

Soon, dozens of staff members quickly walked over and waited in the buffer zone below.

Seeing that the personnel below were ready, the operators on the Goblin airships manipulated the airships to slowly descend.

"Creak—screeech—"

The thick trunks of the Vermilion Gold Oak Trees slowly made contact with the ground, pressing cracks out of the bluestone slabs above.

When the oak trees completely landed, the airships stopped descending and hovered in mid-air.

Then, those staff members quickly stepped forward to untie the vines binding the oak trees.

Like birds breaking free from restraints, those Goblin airships flew into the air once again.

Through the cabin window, Da Zhuang waved and greeted Cao Xing, then shouted using the communication device by his ear, "Lord, we are continuing to that forest for transport."

"Alright, remember to call for reinforcements from the territory if you encounter formidable enemies."

Da Zhuang replied with a smile, "Rest assured, Lord, the monsters in that forest have all been scared away by us!"

"Not even a single bird can be seen!"

Hearing this, Cao Xing also smiled. "Alright, you guys go ahead."

As he spoke, these dozens of Goblin airships had already flown high into the sky and then disappeared at the horizon.

At this moment, looking at the dozens of fallen Vermilion Gold Oak Trees on the ground, that group of staff members took the initiative to ask, "Lord, do you need us to plant these magical plants?"

Hearing this, Cao Xing did not reply, but instead cast his gaze on these 16 oak trees on the ground.

Because the Vermilion Gold Oak Trees contained dual-attribute fire and metal magic power in their bodies, and had been invaded by the frigid environment,

it caused this plant to undergo a certain mutation.

Aside from making it much harder, this mutation also substantially increased its weight, even pressing delicate cracks into the bluestone floor.

Even a dozen ordinary people had no way to lift a single oak tree.

Therefore, Cao Xing shook his head and said, "No need, I have a faster and more effortless method."

Hearing these words, a look of doubt appeared in the eyes of this group of staff members.

Cao Xing did not explain; he directly closed his eyes, and his consciousness began to sweep across the entire territory.

And in an instant, he sensed that mass of colossal strength vines dormant deep within the territory, coiled like giant dragons!

Come to think of it, ever since Cao Xing obtained this magical plant, he had only used it once during the territory's second expansion.

After growing for so many days, this colossal strength vine looked even larger!

As his spirit connected with it,

the next moment, the entire territory underwent a slight tremor.

"Rumble—"

The stone bricks on the city walls shook continuously, and the towering arrow towers also began to tremble.

Thousands of staff members stopped what they were doing one after another, looking doubtfully and apprehensively at the ground beneath their feet.

Because they had a feeling, as if something beneath their soles was about to burst out of the earth.

Then, amidst their shocked gazes,

"Clatter—!"

dozens of massive vines rushed out of the surface like underground dragons, instantly tearing apart the surrounding land!

Those vines were as flexible as spiritual serpents, dancing in mid-air!

Strong shock appeared on the faces of many surrounding staff members!

Because none of them knew that such a behemoth was actually hidden beneath this territory!

"Gods above, this is truly a magical territory—"